Each suit of the minor arcana has the same range of card characters in the following order: king, (father) queen (mother and the king's equal, albeit more subtle), knight (son) and page (younger version of that son). Following these court cards, the minor arcana continues with the ace (that is like a card #1) and then cards numbered 2 until 10.
The king has mastered spiritual fulfilment because he has already successfully gone through all the trials of youth. Consequently, the aim of all lessons is to learn how to become the king. The page is a younger version of the knight, who in turn is a younger version of the king who must go out into the world to learn how to become the king. I think female characters represents the subconscious or internal part of their male counterpart. For instance, the queen is the more subconscious part of the king as is the other female cards between 2 and 10 being subconscious parts of the knight.
For the most part, the progression of the cards tells a story that follows similar sequential stages of growth and maturity of a young person who has left his family of origin to venture into the world. For instance, the knight often connects with peers and enjoys a honeymoon stage of that experience before then having bad experiences from which he must learn. These experiences sometimes throws him off course before he finally knows how to proceed correctly on his mission. As suggested, each suit starts with the knight becoming prepared for the challenge of the suit with the Ace card. A disembodied hand, likely that of an angel or the knight seems to reach across dimensions as symbolized by its disembodiment piercing through clouds to offer or collect the symbol of the prize or pure potential of the suit. For instance, the suit of cups starts with an overflowing cup in the hand. The full potential is already within the knight. So this card is a call to action (CTA) to master that potential.
Sequentially going through each character tells the story of the lessons learnt and transformation towards the form of spiritual fulfilment that is specific to the suit. In most suits, the knight goes out into the world to learn lessons. The only exception is swords in which the page goes out.
As you look at cards to interpret them, take time to observe the details of the images to get meaning. As your skill advances, you can also make esoteric connections that include teachings of kabbalah, hermeticism, personal development, energy work, numerology, astrology and so on.
Wands relate to the fire element and the sacral chakra. Consider how wands are popularly known as tools for magical transformations. Most people (in the Western world) first came across the concept through Disney productions. Wands focus on spiritual fulfillment through the process of active creation (even more so than the end goal). Cards in this suit seem to repeatedly reference matters of conflict or (social) support. Perhaps this suggests that interactions with people around us give clues about the current success or failure of our magick. The cards seem to portray more ups and downs than other suits, arguably suggesting that we deal with different intentions or 'alters' existing either in harmony or 'altar against altar' battles. Consequently, I think it also has a secondary focus on relationship with the divine, from the perspective that, a magician's wand may account for a huge part of what is perceived as power that his individual strength ostensibly wields or that is wielded against him. Specifically, the power that brings him success may ultimately come from magick from un-embodied forces. Needless to say, this happens to be the only suit that actually has a card that depicts action being carried out by an unseen force, ie without the visual appearance of the knight.
The energy of wands is creative, innovative, adventurous and bold. For instance, it may relate to situations of entrepreneurship, will power, originality, life purpose, exploration into something new. It carries a lot of drive, passion, even adrenaline and is therefore commonly associated with business and financial ventures. The phallic symbol of the wand evokes these traditional masculine qualities.
This energy is characterized by accomplishment and just getting things done. On the flip side, this energy could leave people exhausted. Also, given the strong drive of this energy, it could make people overly aggressive.
To better understand this suit through contrast and comparison; when contrasted against other suits (like cups and pentacles), wands refer to fast-occurring situational developments. However, wands are more like swords regarding timing. In other words, if a situation under discussion is time-sensitive, developments will occur quickly. (This is in contrast with the slower-moving cups or pentacles).
Suit of wands - image (opens in additional tab)
- Ace. The knight reaches out into his imagination to collect the symbol of the challenge; a wand. He feels ready for change of environment and a reset. This may relate to career, creative idea, new hobby or some other new passion, even a new passionate relationship with someone. He therefore wanders out into the world to experience life.
- The knight considers his options. His holding and having even moved a wand in the physical, raising it up from its fixed placed on the wall suggests forcefulness and therefore strong desire for his mission. However, despite having all that he has (as symbolized by the globe in a hand), he remains unsure of his plan or next step, as symbolized by his having taken only 1 of the wands. His options between 2 wands represent the dual nature of life. I think he might have selected one between two wands for the mission of one cause (or altar for magick), as there is another opposing altar against which his views oppose. Another interpretation is that he is weighing pros and cons of his options. The water that separates him from a distant land suggests that he must move outside of his comfort zone (on the safe concrete battlement). Another CTA is to think beyond your current circumstances by adopting a broader perspective (like the knight is doing. He is looking out into distance wide land and seascape from the safe confines of what he knows). Prepare to pursue your dream, make bold choices that align with your passions and values. However, the duality of this card reminds you that success is not guaranteed. Consequently, you must keep analyzing situations very well, making sacrifices, working, etc because there will always be challenges and setbacks. So be patient and persistent. Take calculated risks. Notice also that the wall on the left references the Rosicrucian spiritual order (with the rose and cross symbols). Another interpretation is that the knight has become bored because he already has already conquered the world and security as illustrated by the globe in his hand and his solid location. Since the fact that wands are cards of action, he looks out wanting to see what else he can accomplish. Regardless of your interpretation, the card references starting something new with proper strategic thought.
- The knight now has a plan. He has made all the right moves. He has chosen his plan of action and is creating a stable foundation. He is about to take his first step. The now golden sea may suggest optimism regarding a very positive trip ahead. He also recognizes the many possibilities ahead of him. His posture is somewhat more relaxed than in the previous card. Specifically, he is resting on one of three wands. This may mean that he feels secure to proceed with whatever the wand represents, like a project or his career. His headband is like a physical halo. Halos represent something connected with God and deserving veneration. The headband suggests that the knight receives divine guidance. I think that, depending on the situation, the 2 wands behind him look like protective bodyguards that 'have his back' and might be unseen and may also reinforce this idea. It being the card of wands, this might also be a CTA to also remember support (as of ancestors for instance) that is unseen. The ships suggests possible travel.
- He has completed the first stage of his journey. He is in a new environment with peers (away from his family) and gently acclimatizing himself. As the 4 suggests, he feels a sense of security in his accomplishment. This card features some type of celebration as the knight walks on the stage towards the 4 wands. The knight and his partner carry flowers. Also the wands are adorned with flowers. Quite unlike the far more successful celebration in the 6th card that features others celebrating with the knight, his celebration is enjoyed only by himself and personal companion. The other people in the scene are not celebrating at all. In fact the celebratory flowers are on one side, while they are on the next. While this card may be a CTA to be happy for your accomplishment, it might also be a reminder to consider those other people. They might exist as a reminder that it is necessary to consider others around you when you enjoy success. They seem to stand between the knight and his ability to return to the manorial house aka great house or plantation great house. (A manorial house or great house is mansion-style house that is the main residence of a lord over a large plantation or where other smaller houses were leased to others). Maybe they hint at an easily ignored undercurrent of opposition that poses potential threats through jealousy, revolt or otherwise. After all, they have clustered together in embrace, as if making some type of plan.
- He experiences conflict with his peers, like workplace obstacles, creative differences and so on. The situation is futile because no one is listening to the other to understand their different backgrounds. This teaches the knight to improve himself without malice.
- He has left the conflict from the previous card by using his personal power to gather like-minded people around him. This scene is the repose after winning a battle of some type, challenge or otherwise, like job promotion, court case, commercial deal. He can be grateful for those who helped him along the way, business partners, supportive spouses and other covenant brotherhood. With his wand above the others and adorned with a wreath, the knight leads the others. He even begins to resemble his father. Do not rest on your laurels however. Continue doing the work. However, take a moment to rejoice. Since people now recognized your effort, you are more generally popular. You are also more visible. Remember to thank those who helped you along the way.
- He meets new bigger challenges of opposition than those he met in the 5th card. The imagery suggests that he is defending himself alone against a crowd. Since this card follows from the previous one, it seems that the opposition has arisen from criticism after his success in the previous card, competition. He must defend his title. He stands on a hill and looks giant-like. These details may represent his superiority of some sort over his attackers, like a higher moral ground and his standing up for his beliefs.
- This is a very positive card. This is the only card in the entire deck that features action being carried out by some dis-embodied force. I think that the number 8, as a figure that resembles infinity, is a CTA to recognize the invisible power of the universe. The wands are flying through the air, aligned in parallel form and with such perfection that seems supernatural. This suggests that the knight receives good signs, good news, dreams with guidance, good ideas swiftly. Maybe this this card is also a CTA to meditate and foster a relationship with the divine through spiritual practice, so as to remain open to receiving downloads of guidance. In any case, this card foretells that he will be successful in his objective. The wands are flying parallel to each other, without colliding. In other words, they are on a clear mission.
- The knight has just been beaten badly and depending on a wand for support but not defeated by some even bigger challenges (of betrayal). The card is a CTA to persevere, knowing that better times will come if you continue. Learn determination, perseverance and resilience despite unexpected challenges. (The challenge is unexpected because it came immediately after the very positive 8th card.) Additionally, it is unclear if the knight knows about the 8 wands behind him. They may represent resources for his support and protection of which he is unaware and for which he may be asked to search. These are potential forces of protection. Be thankful for those persons and forces of support around you. He can rest assured that there is promise for the future because the landscape is steel green and fertile. In other words, this is further CTA to remember that there is still hope, even in your darkest moments, where the dark moments are symbolized by the bleak gray foreground where the knight stands.
- He is successful. However, while he has risen to the top, he learns that, the crown carries with it the heavy weight of responsibility. His bowed body suggests that he currently struggles to manage all of the wands on his own. The heavy cluster even blocks his path forward. This is a CTA to plan, organize and delegate to be able to become the king soon. He should not give up.
Cups relate to the element of water and heart chakra. Cups deal with spiritual fulfilment through relationships with others and oneself or objects of desire. It is therefore concerned with matters of emotions, intuition, intimacy. Relationship may relate to romantic, familial, projects and otherwise.
The energy of cups represents the full scale of emotions that range between polar opposites from positive to negative. Consequently, sometimes, the energy represents joy and then at other times; bereavement, sadness, hardened, cynical. The latter end of the scale occurs when someone's needs for intimacy and connection are lacking.
The corresponding situations feature love, gratitude, kindness in relationships. The contrast features unmet needs.
In contrast with faster moving suits like wands or swords, cups relate to slower situational development.
Suit of cups - images (opens in additional tab)
- Ace of cups. Search to meet emotional needs. What he needs is self-love.
- Finds first peer relationship. This may be sexual intimacy.
- Happiness and blissfulness, spending time with cherished people. This is like a honeymoon stage.
- First disappointment that leads to apathy and demotivation. 4 is a number of stability. However, the stability he has found is not satisfying him. He focuses on illusory desires (from the past or something unattainable). As his crossed arm position suggests, he is emotionally unavailable to exploit relationship opportunities within his reach, including the one being handed to him by the universe. It is uncertain whether he is aware of the 4th cup which is likely going to be more satisfying to him. Maybe he knows he is missing it but can not yet get it. It is as if he an ace all over again, recognizing that he must start a journey to find that 4th cup.
- This is a progression from the previous card. He has become so despondent that he has tuned out from life and focuses on the losses, without realizing that there are opportunities behind him.
- Now reunited with a peer, he holds on tightly to his partner. However, this closeness might stunt his growth.
- he has several temptations from which to choose. These temptations may relate to different individuals with specific types of personality, or outcomes of certain of his other types of desire (practices, etc). Each cup has either some type of treasure or scary type of monster. This suggests that some cups offer the potential for good while others bad outcomes. This card is therefore a CTA to master discernment in order to select relationships and pursuits wisely.
- Although this is the 8th card, one of the 8 cups is missing. This is because the current situation is somehow inadequate. He therefore walks away from relationships or objects of desire because they no longer serve him in his newfound desire to fulfil his purpose in a more meaningful way. This is a CTA to make changes by looking otherwise regarding relationships, soul-searching and deeper self-discovery or objects of desire. Choose based on whether options support you in aligning with a higher level of accomplishment of your mission.
- He no longer needs others to validate or love him to be able to appreciate himself. He is very internally fulfilled, satisfied, a little smug. At this point, regarding relationships, he wants to share himself only someone special.
- Finally, he reaches the ultimate state of emotional fulfilment. He has found soulful relationship of which he had dreamt. At this point, he has gained the emotional maturity of the king of cups. This CTA is to ponder on and enjoy the good connection(s) you have.
Swords relate to the element of air and mentalism. The symbology is similar to that of wands in that it is phallic and therefore embodies masculine energy.
This energy relates to disciplining mental energy and channeling it through action to produce tangible results. It may relate to technology, ego, society, societal structures & systems, conflict and resolution.
This relates with the throat chakra. Associations range from positive to negative like justice, revealing truth that cuts through lies on one hand to anguish, overthinking, division (when the card is in reverse). This suit can also be associated with the fact that with power comes responsibility, spies, gossips and monitoring spirits.
Symbology: upright swords symbolize clarity of thought.
Like the wands suit, swords relates to fast situational development. The developing story of sequential ascending order of the cards tells the story of the page of swords.
YouTuber Moon Scarab's video 'Suit of swords: Meanings of all 14 cards'
Suit of swords - image (opens in additional tab)
Ace. The potential for mastery is implanted for the knight to master. He is given a mind, intellect, ego, a place within a society and so on. The sword even pierces through a crown, suggesting that it transcends any other crown and may relate to superconsciousness. CTA to recognize that your mind is expansion mode. This often encourages you to start some new undertaking that requires your intellect and communication skills. Because the symbol is a double-edged sword, another CTA is to remember that, with power comes responsibility. You need to use your intellect and communication skills to figure how to triumph for the betterment of yourself and others.2. The page is still haunted by past emotional heart ache and is unsure how to proceed because all options seem unappealing. So rather than look left or right, she looks inwards to her intuition (as depicted by the moon) to figure out her best option. This is a card of peace and meditation because she has blocked from view the distractions of the outer world and is in such a deep state of meditation that she has the 2 spheres of her mind in perfect balance (as depicted by the 2 perfectly balanced swords). Additionally, this card is a CTA to make decisions that are balanced in some relevant way. This card is also a CTA to develop discipline like that portrayed in her calm, seated pose, even though it is a challenge to balance 2 heavy swords (the weight of her decision). This may also be a CTA to develop one's intuition and meditative practices. In some cultures, blindfolds are used ritualistically to force persons to rely more on other senses. Despite being blind to things happening around her, she is safe and the moon (her intuition) and sea suggest her equanimity (ie mental calmness, composure and evenness of temper even in difficult situations). The image depicts someone reliant more on deeper thoughts, intellect, the higher self, the superconscious (over immediate stimuli). One gets the feeling that her intuition is so on point that, if the need arises, she is ready to strike with mastery. However, in the meantime, she is not threatening. Ultimately, this is a CTA for meditation, not action. In reverse, this card refers to indecision.
3. The page feels deep sorrow because of the loss of the object of her desire, that she felt had 'completed her'. This could relate to deep emotional pain, breakdown of a relationship and so on. This is a time of achieving understanding of the root cause of past heart break. In short, her pain was a stepping stone to better understanding. Deep reflection is a great teacher. Mistakes are teachers and not for discouragement or an end in themselves.
4. The page is stressed and takes a rest. This is a CTA to take a break for deep rational (facts, logical and data-driven) contemplation of the details rather than continuing to plug away at the task that is stressing you out. It is somewhat like the 2 of swords regarding contemplation. Except that, this card is not as feminine. Instead, this CTA is to think more rationally (than intuitively) to rebuild strength and clarity before returning back to normal life. The fact that only 3 of the 4 swords are upright, a sign of mental clarity suggests that he just still figure how to move the last into the upright position to create the balance and stability of that the number 4 represents.
5. The page uses her sword like her intellect, words, ego, social position in a divisive way, perhaps to preach her views in a divisive way, gas lighting, trolling or otherized those she saw as 'others'. Although the page wins the battle, her battle is not necessarily justified. The jagged sky suggests that all is not well. She may have lost the respect and good graces of others. CTA to choose your battles. This card may also refer to unscrupulous abuse of power to win against others.
6. Someone hangs their head down as if after suffering defeat. She seems to be fleeing after some type of defeat to safety. She has not lost all because she still has her swords, the symbols of her beliefs. She may be unable to use them where she came from but is carrying hem away to a refuge on the opposite side of the water. This is a CTA to leave behind a toxic situation while you can. As you leave, you will not yet be entirely secure and need to be very careful with how you proceed with your swords, be they thoughts, words, etc.
7. The page is sneaking away from some type of imprisonment. He does so while holding 5 swords in a way that will potentially hurt him and leaving 2 behind him. This is a CTA to recognize that, even if your ideas are sound, your current method of proceeding is risky.
8. The knight is blindfolded and in female form, which I interpret as being more inwardly focused on his mind and subconsciousness. Perhaps he wants to avenge the death of the older self / her brother's but ends up captured and imprisoned by the mind. The knight feels powerless as his (female) body has been tied up, a prisoner of his own beliefs and miscalculations.
9. The page is in a state of mental distress. They haunt her like nightmares. The swords may represent negative thought patterns, a powerful societal system. I find the imagery of the swords being wielded by some type of disembodied force reminiscent of the very positive 8 of wands card. This card shows the perfectly parallel and likely supernatural formation of the arrows as if this is some type of superconscious attack from an opposing altar. The distress will likely last long-term because the ends of the swords are not even visible.
10. The knight was defeated by someone more trained and skilled than himself in mentalism, words, societal structures, etc. As with any other death or destruction card, this need not be permanent. The hope is suggested by the golden skies in the distance beyond the heavy black clouds. So over time, this situation may be overcome.
- Ace. The knight has some form of material wealth and can go out into the world to invest it.
- The knight must figure how to use his wealth to secure his stability and security. He needs to remain mindful of in and out flows regarding his wealth so as to strike a good balance between these 2 flows.
- The knight invests in his education. He can now be self-sufficient.
- The knight's business has grown so considerably that he really enjoys his wealth. However, he faces the risks of greediness, stagnation due to lack of innovation. He stands on the coins as if stuck through fear of stepping forward. The way he clings to a pentacle, is standing on 2 others and has one over his head suggests very strong reliance on these achievements, like a lucrative career path in a highly respected field, perhaps to the extent that he will be too scared to step away from them even if his truest desires are otherwise, like art.
- The knight's single-minded focus on material wealth for its own sake has led him to poverty (ie material and or emotional poverty).
- The knight learns that, while focusing on acquiring things, he must balance it out by giving back to others both materially and emotionally. He must also hire people, which is essentially buying back his time. He realizes that, in order to get his mission to work, he must involve others.
- The knight enjoys abundance and time to plan long term, not just for quick returns but for a vision of creating a legacy (his long-term impact in the world).
- The knight invests again in education to learn how to produce something on a larger scale and with higher quality. He is really honing his skills towards establishing his legacy.
- The knight reflects on all that he has achieved. He reflects on all this with pride and a sense of freedom, security and comfort.
- The knight's efforts have finally manifested. He is sitting back to savor the fruits of his efforts. At this point, he becomes the king of pentacles.
Card interpretation (through numerology, symbology, etc)
There are some patterns that can help your interpretation across all suits.
Numerology.
The second card (#2) in all minor arcana relate to some type of decision between the polar opposites in life. Example(s): 2 of wands has 2 wands that represent the dual nature of life and; 2 of swords balances options between which she should rely on my intuition.
Even though 4 usually represents stability, the 4th cards sometimes relate to being stuck in some way, despite accomplishments. It can therefore be a CTA to enjoy stability but do not allow yourself to remain constrained within the mold of how your accomplishments are defined. Example(s):
- 4 of pentacles is now stable like a job that pays bills and feels secure but not really what you desire but you are fearful of losing it if you leave.
The number 5 represents change. The cards are therefore a CTA that the asker makes some type of change. Example(s):
- 5 of wands is calling on the asker to change something about how he proceeds in his environment to rise above / stand out from his rivals.
- 5 of cups is calling on the asker to change his perspective to the 2 cups and other path behind him.
- 5 of pentacles is calling on the asker to change habits in some way to get healthy again
- 5 of swords is calling on the asker to change your communication method to get a desirable outcome.
The number 6 references balance and harmony. Example(s)
- 6 of pentacles is calling on the asker to become successful by creating balance of wealth through generosity with others.
- 6 of cups is calling on the asker to become successful by being kind towards others with less love in their lives.
- 6 of cups is calling on the asker to become successful by moving away from the environment of conflict or some other of change.
- 6 of wands is calling on the asker to become successful more securely (than in the 2nd card) by sharing the celebration with others.
The number 7 references introspection (rather than action action). Example(s)
- 7 of cups is calling on the asker to really think deeply about his options before proceeding.
- 7 of pentacles is calling on the asker to really think about what he has planted.
- 7 of wands is calling on the asker to really think about people around him because some might be secretly plotting against him.
Another way is as follows.
1. Note the suit symbol and recall the associated element. This will indicate the mission.
2. Note the way characters and objects interact with the suit symbol and scenery.
Notice details like the colors of clothing and objects. For instance, when the knight of wands wears red clothing, this symbolizes that his passion for his mission is intact. However, in 7 of wands, his strength is challenged as is suggested by his partially non-red clothing. In all of the cards of this suit, the wand is always red. In 2 of wands, the knight holds a globe whose land mass is even red, which suggests that the world is ripe for him to conquer it.
Be flexible because there is room for personal interpretation. Some of the objects may have some meaning to you that is not standard but matches more closely with the situation in question. For instance,
- in 3 of wands, there is uncertainty about the meaning of the 3 ships on the sea.
- In 7 of wands, the knight wears 2 different shoes, though the relevance of this is unclear. Some people see this detail as suggesting that he is fighting the batter in different spaces and ways; subconscious and conscious minds.
Recurring Tarot Symbols
- birds (associated with the air element, often in swords cards)
- blindfold. (associated with the element of air, often in swords cards). Unable to see what is happening around oneself as one is internally focused on their mind. Ex 8 of swords (negative mental state), 2 of swords (positive mental state).
- feather. wisdom
- feminine.
- See 'gender'
- feminine characters may represent various feminine energy characteristics.
- your higher self. Strength, #8 of the major arcana. In some cases, the woman represents your higher self that comforts the lower self, represented as a lion.
- fish (associated with water element, often in cups cards)
- gender
- feminine energy (depicted as female characters) in masculine suits (like swords). Borrowing from the hermetic principles of polarity and gender, these types of depiction suggest that one may de-polarize extremely masculine situations through one's intuition and sub-conscious mind. Example(s)
- 2 of swords (reliance on intuition rather than masculine logical thinking).
- halo (aka nimbus).
- The hanged man (XI)
- headband. physical representation of a halo. Halos represent something connected with God and deserving veneration. The headband suggests that the person wearing it receives divine guidance.
- infinity symbol (aka lemniscate). The humanly ungraspable vastness of the universe and endless nature of existence. This symbol is a nudge to tap into the superconscious mind or, at the very least, to have faith in it. By tapping into this source, the human potential is limitless. Consequently, its CTA is to accept that, once tuned in, you can actualize your potential. Example(s)
- The Magician, #1 of the major arcana.
- Strength, #8 of the major arcana.
- lemniscate. See 'infinity symbol'
- lilies, white. pure thoughts, mental clarity and focus.
- masculine. See 'gender'
- moon (intuition, soul-searching, calm female energy) Example(s)
- 2 of swords (intuition).
- 8 of cups (contemplation and soul searching).
- nimbus. See 'halo'
- roses, red. something new, aspirations
- square. stability and readiness to manifest intentions. Example(s)
- The Chariot (The charioteer wears a square on his chest as he directs the chariot. His dedication is unrestrained by the material world).
- stars. 'The Star' card of the major arcana is a very positive card that references hope and inspiration. Stars are very positive symbols otherwise. It gives me the feeling of one becoming the star they are meant to be in the universe. However, generally, stars symbolize one's influence on the universal mind or super-consciousness. It is a powerful symbol of manifestation. Example(s)
- The Chariot (The charioteer wears a crown of stars...)
- The Empress (The empress wears a crown of 12 stars)
- ..
CONTENT RELATED TO SPIRIT COMMUNICATION - TAROT SUITS & THE MINOR ARCANA
- Spirit communication - Tarot
- Tarot symbols that recur throughout the tarot deck
- Internal links: recurring symbols; suits;
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